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Sodium or Potassium Hydroxide for Removal of Stearates?

We nickel plate and powder coat wire products in our plant and our incoming wire contains oil with sodium stearates on it. Does anyone know which cleaner is better for removing stearates--sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide and WHY? We are trying to make a decision on which chemical to purchase. Thanks Chris

Chris Ballew
- Newport, TN
2000

Although either KOH or NaOH will strip soap, a better bet is to use tetrasodium pyrophosphate. Any alkaine cleaner especially containing chelating agents will easily remove soap. TSPP is mildly alkaline and also a chelater. R

Roger Bridger
- Croydon, UK
2000

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